This is one troubled young man (James Holmes court appearance)

[Anonymous]

http://bit.ly/MjdyP9

I wonder if ,again, no one noticed anything strange about his behaviour in the past 3 months. He had been interested since his undergrad years in "temporal illusions" and how one departed from reality. My take is that he knew something was not right in his own mind. I bet his parents knew also. Yes, he was lonely so basically no one could actually tell the difference because he didn't speak to anyone around him, but his parents?.... so, so sad for him and for the victims. I know that he is the one that created all this pain but it is just sad that his state of mind wasn't in the knowledge of his closest family members.

[Anonymous]

Sad for him? WTF. What will it take for a white criminal to be labeled a "thug"? OMFG.

[Anonymous]

It's hard to say sad for him, but he is obviously extremely disturbed. Just like the VA Tech kid. Someone right in the head doesn't carry out such attacks.

I do wonder if anyone noticed what was going on, or even questioned. His family sounds like they knew he was screwed up, although we don't know much yet. But, just like Cho (?), he was away from home and no one was able to track the weirdness. So he withdrew from society it sounds like and basically became invisible. UNTIL....

A disaster of epic proportions which just continues to highlight the gaps in our mental health system - as well as problems within our communities where we don't pay attention to those around us.

But he's absolutely guilty and a monster.

[Anonymous]

It is not about race, he could be green and I would have the same opinion. I do feel compassion for him, for Cho and even the kids from Columbine. it is important to focus on the victims, but it is also important to pay attention to the murderers and why they developed to be monsters. If we keep pointing our finger we won't solve the problem. this won't be the last case.

[Anonymous]

I think his family did know. But the reality is that it isn't a crime to be psychotic. You can live in a world of delusions and still be functional on the outside. Kind of like you are the main character in an altered reality movie. His parents may have tried to get him help but little was available if he wasn't himself wanting help. Most people who are delusional don't think they need help - their altered reality is so real that realize it is altered. If he wasn't expressing homicidal or suicidal thoughts and he was able to function (hygiene, eating etc) then there is nothing anyone can do.

I have no idea how skewed his thinking was or what motivated his actions - if it was a delusion or not. He did need help but our system is set up that mental health help is really really hard to access unless you personally seek it out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is not about race, he could be green and I would have the same opinion. I do feel compassion for him, for Cho and even the kids from Columbine. it is important to focus on the victims, but it is also important to pay attention to the murderers and why they developed to be monsters. If we keep pointing our finger we won't solve the problem. this won't be the last case.

It is about race. If this guy were black, there would be a discussion about "why the black race is so effed up". Just look at the lululemon thread. That girl seemed deranged to me, but folks didn't feel the same and they certainly didn't feel sorry for her!

[Anonymous]

I'm sure his family knew he was mentally ill, but the reality is that they couldn't do anything to recent this. You can't force a mentally ill adult into treatment. The legal standard to force someone into treatment is extremely high and it is rare to get anything beyond a twenty four hour hold for observation. He didn't live with his parents, so could they have known? I am sad for everyone...the victims, the parents, and the mentally ill perpetrator. Perhaps if this country had better access to mental health treatment we wouldn't have to deal with so many tragic situations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure his family knew he was mentally ill, but the reality is that they couldn't do anything to recent this. You can't force a mentally ill adult into treatment. The legal standard to force someone into treatment is extremely high and it is rare to get anything beyond a twenty four hour hold for observation. He didn't live with his parents, so could they have known? I am sad for everyone...the victims, the parents, and the mentally ill perpetrator. Perhaps if this country had better access to mental health treatment we wouldn't have to deal with so many tragic situations.

There is no evidence to suggest this guy is mentally ill. Where are you getting your facts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sad for him? WTF. What will it take for a white criminal to be labeled a "thug"? OMFG.

+1 The attitudes on these threads have been mind-boggling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is not about race, he could be green and I would have the same opinion. I do feel compassion for him, for Cho and even the kids from Columbine. it is important to focus on the victims, but it is also important to pay attention to the murderers and why they developed to be monsters. If we keep pointing our finger we won't solve the problem. this won't be the last case.

It is about race. If this guy were black, there would be a discussion about "why the black race is so effed up". Just look at the lululemon thread. That girl seemed deranged to me, but folks didn't feel the same and they certainly didn't feel sorry for her!

wtf are you playing the race card for?

[Anonymous]

Only on DCUM is this evil murderer called a "young man" while Trayvon Martin is labeled a thug.

[Anonymous]

Of course he is mentally ill...sane people don't think hey are a cartoon character and kill people. Plus, the media has reported that his parents knew something was wrong with him. Sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is not about race, he could be green and I would have the same opinion. I do feel compassion for him, for Cho and even the kids from Columbine. it is important to focus on the victims, but it is also important to pay attention to the murderers and why they developed to be monsters. If we keep pointing our finger we won't solve the problem. this won't be the last case.

It is about race. If this guy were black, there would be a discussion about "why the black race is so effed up". Just look at the lululemon thread. That girl seemed deranged to me, but folks didn't feel the same and they certainly didn't feel sorry for her!

wtf are you playing the race card for?

Truth hurts, huh? Instead of striking out, do a bit of reflection.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of course he is mentally ill...sane people don't think hey are a cartoon character and kill people. Plus, the media has reported that his parents knew something was wrong with him. Sad.

Sane people kill people all the time. This could all be an elaborate ploy to trick the system. This guy is smart...he just might get away with it. This asshole doesn't think he's the Joker...he wants you to think he does.

[Anonymous]

Sane people sometimes kill one person...usually related to some other violent crime. Crazy people dye their hair red and kill dozens of innocent strangers at a movie. He is crazy. And I'm sure signs started during his teen years.